Director, Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC)

The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond (JCFR) has been building, sustaining, and connecting Jewish Communities in Richmond, Israel and worldwide for 86 years. Annually raising and distributing over $3.3 million, the Federation protects and enhances the well-being of the Jewish and general community through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (learning).

The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond (JCFR) is seeking a Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) Director. The JCRC is the central public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community. The Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee is responsible for providing leadership for the core work of the JCRC including issues related to Israel advocacy, antisemitism, local, state, and national government relations, social and economic justice, and interfaith relations. In coordination with the CEO and the JCRC Chair, the JCRC Director will serve as a resource to the media and is a key member of the Jewish Community crisis response team.

The Director of Jewish Community Relations will be a visionary, collaborative, and innovative leader with a deep understanding of and commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the Jewish Community Federation and our partners. They will be passionate about building relationships with elected officials, interfaith and community partners and be skilled in educating the Jewish and general community on a broad range of issues. The JCRC Director is a skillful consensus builder and representative of the community, able to engage a broad cross section of community members.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the JCRC Director is a key member of the Federation Team and provides important leadership to the organization, working closely with the JCRC Chair and committee, agency, and synagogue partners. The Director thrives on deepening connections within and outside the Jewish community, stewarding leadership, and is a passionate advocate for Israel and Jewish life.
Primary Job Responsibilities:

MANAGEMENT OF JCRC

1. Ensure a representational and well-functioning JCRC is maintained, with regularly planned meetings, set agendas, and follow up.
2. Develop an annual plan and budget for addressing community engagement, education, Israel affairs, government relations and government advocacy.
3. Provide regular communication of JCRC activities, events and guidance for the Federation board and community that includes articles in the Reflector Jewish newspaper, Federation website, e-news and blogs and commentary for regional news sources.
4. Develop, present, and adhere to an appropriate budget for JCRC activities.
5. Identify new and innovative opportunities that support the JCRC mission.

EDUCATE AND BUILD CONSENSUS AMONG THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

1. Create, amplify, and collaborate on programs with Federation and community partners on the local and national level with speakers, courses and educational opportunities that bring new perspectives on current issues related to Israel, antisemitism and legislation relating to Jewish and non-Jewish issues of relevance to our community.
2. Research and institute best practices from other JCRC’s and like-minded organizations for evaluation and implementation in our community.
3. Develop and implement innovative programming to connect, educate and build understanding of Israel, Antisemitism and Jewish communal priorities and concerns.
4. Develop and lead interfaith, elected official, and other appropriate missions to Israel.
5. Attend conferences relevant to Director position when necessary and approved.

REPRESENT THE RICHMOND JEWISH COMMUNITY TO PUBLIC ENTITIES

1. Represent interest of the mainstream Jewish community to public entities, including city, county, state and federal government, public and private school, and universities.
2. Coordinate media opportunities and either write statements and/or speak or defer to the JCRC Chairperson, Board or Federation Executive Director when requested.
3. Assist local school boards and parents to address issues relating to Jewish holiday observances and representing balanced views about Israel and the Middle East in curriculum and materials. Support community partners and individuals when needed as a resource to combat BDS and any anti-Israel, antisemitic activity in the community and on campus.
4. Support, create and enhance the public acknowledgment of major Jewish observances, such as Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom HaShoah, Israel's Independence Day, Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Remembrance Day, Yom Hazikaron. Maintain a public JCRC presence at community commemorations of importance.

PROACTIVELY ENGAGE IN BUILDING BRIDGES

1. Program and participate in planning programs that bring together faith communities and other ethnic communities.
2. Build positive relationships across the Jewish and non-Jewish Community through coordination of speaking and meet and greet opportunities for the JCRC Director, JCRC Chair and Federation CEO and organize committee/community members to speak on panels.
3. Coordinate and prepare educational materials for public speaking, presentations, and meetings for the JCRC representatives.
4. Meet and maintain good working relationship with faith leaders in other faiths.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensure commitment from the JCRC leadership to the broader Jewish Federation and its relationship development, leadership, and investment mission.
2. Recruit, train and engage volunteer leadership for the Federation and JCRC.
3. Undertake other assignments as may be requested by the CEO of the Federation